Welder handle



July 1, 1947.

V. R. JOHNSON ET AL WELDER HANDLE Filed DGO.. 2, 1944- Patented `luly 1,1947 2,423,324 WELDER HANDLEv Vernon R. Johnson and Lester W. Wachter,

Streator, Ill., assignors to Anthony'Development Company, Streator,Ill., a syndicate Application December 2, 1944, Serial No. 566,294

7 Claims. l

This invention relates to a welder handle, and has for one object toprovide a handle adapted removably to receive and retain a welding rod.

Another object is to provide, in connection with such a handle, springmeans for holding the rod in engagement with the handle, andpower-operated means for releasing the rod from. engagement with thehandle.

A further object is to associate with said poweroperated means a coolingeffect which operates as a result of the operation of the power-operatedmeans.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with awelder handle, an air pressure cylinder and piston assembly for movingthe welding rod-engaging member andl to provide, in connection with suchsystem, a controlling valve for controlling its movement and fordischarging air into or adjacent the handle to effect cooling as anincidental result ofthe operation of the power means.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the speciicationand claims.

This invention is illustrated more or less vdiagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross section through one form of the device,with parts in elevation;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on an enlarged scale atl line 2 2of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the welding rod gripping means;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional detail taken at line. 4 4 of Figure3; and

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the cable and pressure iiuidsupplying means, taken at line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specicationand drawings.

In the particular formv here showny the Welder handle includes agenerally tubular member I which is provided with an open forward endwhich, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, is inclined. The open end isprovided with pairs of oppositely placed notches 2, 2 and 3, 3. Slidablymounted within the generally tubular member I is a weldlng rod-engagingmember 4. This welding rodengaging member is provided with arod-engaging nose portion which may be integral with the member 4 or maybe removable therefrom. As showm it includes a member 5 which isprovided wit-h a reduced threaded portion 6 receivable in acorrespondingly threaded depression or cavity I formed in the member 4.The member 5 may be rounded at its outer end, as at 8, and is pro- Cilvided with a perforation 9 which may yor may not be tapered. As shown inthe figures it is tapered The perforation 9 is of such size as toreceive a welding rod I0. This rod is shown in Figures 3 and 4 and fitswithin the perforation or cavity 9, and whenthe member 4 is drawninwardly into the tubular member I, the rod will be gripped within theperforation 9 and against the end of the tubular member I, preferablytting into one of the pairs of grooves in the end of that member.

The tubular member I is received in a flat member la. It may be threadedinto that member, as indicated ln Figure 1, or otherwise secured to it.Fastened also to the member la is a housing part or cylinder I I. Thisis secured to a valve housing member I 2 and may be threaded to it orotherwise secured toit.Y

Positioned within the cylinder. II for reciprocation therein is a.piston I3. The piston is perforated and receives one end of themember`4, which may be reduced as shown in Figure 1 to provide ashoulder I4. The inner end of the member 4 is preferably provided with athreaded perforation I5 in which a screw I6 may be received. Ihe screwholds the piston and the member 4 together. A compression spring I'I ispositioned about the member 4 and within the cylinder I I and bears atone end against the member la and at the other end against the pistonI3, serving when free to do so to carry the piston inwardly Within thecylinder and thus to carry the member 4 and the welding rod-engagingpart 5 into the tubular member Iy and so to hold the welding rod inposition against the open end of the member I.

Power means will be described for operating the piston. However, manualmeans are also provided, and they will be described first;

The tubular housing member I may be pro'- vided with a pair of ears I8between which an operating lever I9 is journaled, as on a pin 20. Theoperating lever is preferably of insulating material. The barrel of themember I 'is slotted.

s as at 2|, to permit the nose or end 22 of the lever III to passthrough it andv into a reduced portion 23' of the member 4. By means ofthis handle or lever the member 4l may be forced outwardly against theresistance of the spring I1. The parts thus far described are preferablyreceived within an insulating housing 23', which may have an enlargedange 24 adjacent one end. While the mechanism may ber held within thehousing byv any desired means, one convenient means isV shown andvcomprises a screw 25: which passes through a suitable opening in thehousing 23 and is threaded into the valve housing I2.

The valve housing is provided with a generally cylindrical portion 26within which a piston valve 21 is mounted for reciprocation. As shown,the valve 2'1 includes two enlarged valve portions 28 and 29. Integralwith the valve 21 is a threaded projection 30 upon which a handle 3| ofinsulating material is threaded. The housing 23 is provided With aperforation or opening 32 through which the handle may be inserted. Aspring 33 bears at'one end against the screw 25 or against a suitableportion of the valve housing I2 and at its other end it bears againstthe valve 21. In the particular form here shown the spring 33 is partlyreceived within a cavity 34 formed in the valve 21. The spring, whenfree to do so, holds the valve in the raised position.

An outlet passage 35 forms a communication between the cavity 26 of thevalve housing and the interior of the cylinder I I. It communicates withan enlargement 38 which is formed in the passage or cylindrical cavity26. An inlet passage 31 communicates with an enlargement 38 formed inthe cylindrical cavity 2'6 in the valve housing I2. The inlet passage 31may communicate with a corresponding passage in an exteriorly threadedenlargement 39 which, as here shown, is integral with the Valve housingI2.

Means are provided for conducting pressure fluid, preferably air, t thevalve housing and for conducting electrical current to the welding rod.These means include a composite cable assembly. As shown in Figures 1and 5, this cable includes a central air-tight tube 40, a body ofelectrical conductors 4I and an exterior insulating tube or envelope 42.The interior tube 40 is preferably flexible and may be formed of anysuitable material Natural rubber, synthetic rubber and a Wide variety ofsynthetic materials may be used. To connect the central tube 40 in anair-tight manner to the member 39, a connector part 43 may be used, andthis part, as here shown, is a tubular member which penetrates into thetube 40 and into the member 39. passage 31 may be enlarged to provide ashoulder, as shown, although this feature is not essential. A contactmember 44 is positioned about the tube 40 and is in electrical contactwith the conductors 4I and with the extension 39 of the valve housingI2. An interiorly threaded fastening member 45 is also in contact withthe conductors 4I and with the housing member 39 and holds the parts intight contact to assure an adequate electrical contact. The insulation42 merely surrounds the parts above described and extends part-way intothe handle or housing 23, which latter may be reduced, as at 46, asshown in Figure 1.

`The cooling means will now be described. As shown, one or more ducts orpassages 41, 48 are formed in the valve housing and extend outwardlyfrom the cavity 49. Any desired number of such ducts may be used, andthe ducts 48 may communicate with grooves 50 formed in the exterior ofthe housing I2. When the valve is in the position of Figures 1 and 2,the ducts 41 and 48 communicate freely with the interior cavity 49 andwith the exterior of the housing and air within the cylinder isdischarged through them as the spring l1 returns the piston to theright, and thus air is discharged into the handle from the cylinder. Notonly is this air discharged, but since the air has been undercompression, a refrigerating effect occurs as it expands to roompressure.

For that purpose the iii) The handle or housing 23 may fit looselyenough about the cylinder II and the valve housing I2 to permit the airto circulate freely between them. Whether or not this is the case, theair is discharged from the ducts 48 through the grooves into therearward portion of the interior of the handle. By this means the airwhich enters under pressure into the cylinder and which operates thewelding rod gripping means to move it in the releasing direction alsoserves to cool the handle.

If desired, a bleeder opening may be formed in the valve housing so thatair is discharged to some degree, at least, constantly into the handle.Also, the valve itself may be positioned with sufcient looseness in thevalve housing to permit a more or less continuous escape of air into andaround the housing. The pressure fluid, preferably air, thus serves thedual purpose of operating the power means for moving the Welderrodengaging means and that of cooling the handle.

Although we have shown an operative form of our invention, it will berecognized that many changes in the form, shape and arrangement of partscan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and ourshowing is therefore to be taken as, in a sense, diagrammatic.

The use and operation of this invention are as follows:

When the handle is to be used for welding, it is connected to a Welderand the conductors 4I are thus in electrical contact with a source ofcurrent. The tube 4l) is also connected to a source of pressure uid,preferably compressed air. With the parts as shown in Figure 1, thecompressed air enters the cylindrical passage 26 in the valve housing,and because of the position of the valve, the air cannot penetratefurther.

When it is desired to insert a welding rod, the piston valve isdepressed from the position shown in Figure 1 until the valve portion 28clears a passage by means of which air moves through the tube 40, thepassages 31, 38 and 35 into the cylinder Il. The air will be furnishedthrough this path under sufficient pressure to force the piston I3outwardly or to the left against the resistance of thc spring I1, andthus the member 4 carrying the welding rod-engaging member 5 is forcedoutwardly. In that position a welding rod may be inserted in the opening9 and the parts ma?,y be then rotated so that the welding rod will liewithin either of the pairs of notches 2, 2 or 3, 3. Then the valve 21 isallowed to rise under the influence of the spring 33 and air underpressure is no longer furnished to the cylinder. Thereupon the spring I1returns the piston and the members 4 and 5 to the full line position ofFigure 1 and the welding rod is tightly held, as shown in Figure 4,being gripped within the perforation 9 of the member and lying normallywithin one of the pairs of notches. The parts will remain in thisposition until the valve is again moved to actuate the piston, when thewelding rod will be free and can be dropped out or removed.

We claim:

1. In combination in a Welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a part and a member movably mounted to move therealong, saidmember shaped to engage a Welding rod, and a spring effective 0n saidmember and biased to move it inwardly to hold a rod between said memberand said part, and a piston formed on said member, a cylinderthereabout, means for conducting air under pressure to said cylinder,

whereby said piston is caused to move against the resistance of saidspring to carry said member outwardly, and discharge means for said airto said housing, whereby the latter is cooled.

2. In combination in a welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a hollow part and a member movably mounted therein andsurrounded and guided thereby, said member shaped to engage a weldingrod, and a spring effective on said member and biased to move it in onedirection, and a piston on said member, a cylinder thereabout, means forconducting air under pressure to said cylinder, wherebysaid piston iscaused to move against the resistance of said spring to carry saidmember in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by saidspring, and means shaped to discharge air to said housing, whereby thelatter is cooled.

3. In combination in a Welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a part and a member movably mounted to move therealong, saidmember shaped to engage a welding rod, and a spring eiective on saidmember and biased to move it in one direction, and a piston formed onsaid member, a, cylinder thereabout, means for conducting air underpressure to said cylinder, whereby said Ipiston is caused to moveagainst the resistance of said spring to carry said member oppositely tothe direction in which it is moved by said spring, and means shaped todischarge air to said housing, whereby the latter is cooled as anincident to the movement of said piston.

4. In combination in a welding handle, a welding rod-engaging member,said member being shaped to receive and engage a welding rod, a housingsurrounding said member, said member mounted to reciprocate within saidhousing, and a spring biased normally to carry said member to grip awelding rod between it and the said housing, a piston on said member, acylinder surrounding said piston, means for operating said pistonagainst the inuence of said spring, said means including a valvehousing, a valve movably mounted therein, an inlet passage in saidhousing, a pressure fluid conduit connected with said passage,electrical conducting members connected to said handle, and means formoving said valve to open a passage for pressure fluid from said conduitinto said cylinder, whereby said piston is moved in opposition to saidspring to move said member out of engaging posi-tion with respect tosaid housing, and openings in said valve housing communicating with saidhandle, whereby air is caused to pass from within said housing into saidhandle.

5. In combinationy in a Welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a hollow part and a mem-ber movably mounted therein andsurrounded and guided thereby, said member shaped to engage a weldingrod, and a spring effective on said member and biased to move it in onedirection, and a, piston on said member, a cylinder thereabout, meansfor conducting air under pres-`y sure to said cylinder, whereby saidpiston is caused to move against the resistance of said spring to carrysaid member in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by saidspring, and means shaped to discharge air to said housing, whereby thelatter is cooled, said cylinder, said hollow part and said movablemember being axially aligned and concentric with respect to each otherand a valve housing positioned in communication with said cylinder, avalve in said housing and means for moving said valve to control themovement of air to and from said cylinder.

6. In combination in a Welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a hollow part and a member movably mounted therein andsurrounded and guided thereby, said member shaped to engage a weldingrod, and a spring effective on said member and biased to move it in onedirection, and a piston on said member, a cylinder thereabout, means forconducting air under pressure to said cylinder, whereby said piston iscaused to move against the resistance of said spring to carry saidmember in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by saidspring, and-means shaped to discharge air to said housing, whereby thelatter is cooled, and a valve housing associated with said cylinder, avalve in said housing adapted to control the movement of air to and fromsaid cylinder and a handle member surrounding said cylinder and saidvalve housing, said valve provided with a removable member projectingthrough said handle means.

7. In combination in a Welder handle, a welding rod-gripping meanscomprising a hollow guiding part and a mem-ber movably mounted therein,said member shaped to engage a welding rod, and a, spring effective onsaid member and biased to move it inwardly to hold a rod between saidmember' and said part, a piston on said member, a cylinder thereabout,means for conducting air unde-r pressure to said cylinder, to cause saidpiston to move against the resistance of said spring to carry saidmember outwardly to rod-releasing position, means for discharging airfrom said cylinder tu said handle, whereby the latter is cooled, saidhollow guiding part having an opening in its side and manual means formoving said member to rod-releasing position in the event of air failurecomprising a handle positioned on said hollow guiding part andprojecting through said opening, there being an engaging portion formedin said movable member, and said handle engaged with said engagingportion.

VERNON R. JOHNSON. LESTER W. WACHTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the i'lle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

